254 



NATURE 



[October 31, 1912 



clung to the antiquated conceptions which his own , 

 experiments had really overthrown. In this con- ' 

 nection Sir Edward Thorpe has emphasised the 

 striking contrast between Priestley the social, 

 political, and theological reformer, always in 

 advance of his time, and Priestley the conserva- 

 tive and orthodox man of science. 



Sir Edward holds that, great as was Priestley's 

 merit as an experimentalist, a greater claim to 

 our regard rests on his struggles and sufferings 

 in the cause of liberty. Unpopularity and even 

 persecution were his lot during his later years in 

 England, and it is to Priestley's everlasting credit 

 that he did not allow these untoward circum- 

 stances to disturb his serene and genial temper. 

 In paying tribute to such a man — one whom 

 Erederic Harrison has described as "the hero of 

 the eighteenth century " — the citizens of Birstall 

 have done honour to themselves. J. C. P. 



THE PROPOSED MEMORIAL TO LORD 

 LISTER. 



Meeting at the Mansion House. 



XT may be said that the life of a great man needs 

 no permanent memorial from his contem- 

 poraries, and to some extent this is true. Poets, 

 men of letters, and philosophers speak to pos- 

 terity in their writings, statesmen and warriors 

 have their deeds recorded in history, artists, 

 sculptors, and architects have erected their own 

 monuments which everyone may see. Yet even 

 to them their fellow-men delight to raise some 

 special token of their admiration. But there are 

 others whose work is of a less public character, 

 less obvious to the ordinary observer, and less 

 easily understood, but which often has a more 

 important effect upon the welfare of the world. 

 Of such are the men of science, whose atmosphere 

 is different from that of their fellow-men, and who 

 occupy the edita doctrina snpicntum templa 

 Serena. It is fitting that some permanent memorial 

 should from year to year recall the names of such 

 and remind those who come after of what it is 

 that they have accomplishe3. 



The great meeting which, under the auspices of 

 the venerable Lord Mayor, himself a member of 

 the medical profession, assembled at the Mansion 

 House last week to sanction the project for raising 

 a memorial, or rather some memorials, to Lord 

 Lister, will, we are confident, meet with the 

 approval of everyone, in all parts of the world. 

 The names of those who attended the meeting and 

 those who sent messages of regret at being un- 

 able to do so, indicate how wide is the sympathy 

 that it has aroused. Statesmen, ecclesiastics, 

 soldiers, representatives of science and of medi- 

 cine, of the City companies, of hospitals, and of 

 the general public were all enthusiastic in their 

 commendation of the scheme. Such evidence 

 reminds us that Lister's work was not merely one 

 which revolutionised surgical practice, and was 

 thus instrumental in saving his fellow-creatures 

 from premature death and unnecessary suffering, 

 and enabled the art of surgery to advance 

 NO. 2244, VOL. 90] 



by leaps and bounds to a degree undreamt of 

 before ; but that its scientific value alone is so 

 great as to justify his being placed amongst the 

 most distinguished men of this or any other age. 



The Lord Chancellor, in the unavoidable absence 

 of the Prime Minister, paid an eloquent tribute to 

 Lister's pre-eminence and to the far-reaching 

 effects of his doctrines ; yet the man in the street 

 has but little notion of the benefits he has derived 

 from them ; he has perhaps learned the two words 

 "antiseptic system," but they convey no meaning 

 to him ; and he does not appreciate the dangers 

 which have been averted and the sorrows pre- 

 vented for him and those who are dearest to him. 

 It is for these that a speaking memorial should be 

 raised, and it is from these, if they can be made 

 to understand its meaning, that we feel sure an 

 appeal for the necessary funds will not be made 

 in vain. 



A very influential committee has been formed 

 of representatives of all classes in the United 

 Kingdom and the Colonies and of Ambassadors 

 and Ministers of foreign countries, and in their 

 opinion it is fitting that whatever is done should 

 partake not only of a national, but an international 

 character. This committee, after careful con- 

 sideration, submitted a scheme to the Mansion 

 House meeting, which met with cordial approval. 

 The Dean of Westminster, who is a warm 

 sympathiser with it, desired that Lord Lister's 

 ashes should find their final resting-place in West- 

 minster Abbey, but owing to his own very strict 

 injunctions concerning his funeral, this could not be 

 carried out. It is proposed, therefore, that a medal- 

 lion with a suitable inscription should be placed 

 in the north aisle near those of Darwin and other 

 eminent men of science that cluster round the 

 monument of Newton. Westminster Abbey is an 

 international institution, and it is certain that this 

 proposal will not appeal to Englishmen alone. 



It is also thought that everyone will be in favour 

 of the erection of a sculptured monument, not a 

 mere statue, but something which will direct atten- 

 tion to the nature of his achievements, in some 

 prominent place in London which every citizen and 

 every visitor cannot fail to see and to observe. 



But it was felt that a memorial of a still more 

 international character was desirable, and for that 

 the committee recommended something which 

 would combine the merits of the Nobel Prize and 

 those of the Carnegie Trust. Lender the proposed 

 scheme the trustees of the fund would be able to 

 devote the interest of it at their discretion either 

 to the promotion of research bearing upon the 

 progress of surgery, or as awards in recognition of 

 notable advances in this science. Naturally these 

 awards would be open to men of all nations, and 

 this is as it should be, for Lister's work was not 

 in any sense insular; its beneficent effects are felt 

 in every part of the inhabited world. 



We think that the decisions of the committee 

 are wise and will meet with general approval. It 

 is needless to say that in order to carry them out 

 a large sum of money will be required. We are 

 happy to hear that already several generous 

 donations have been made, and we have great 



